Kukla's Korner Hockey

“Rick started off as a quiet guy who knew right from wrong but didn’t say very much, and now he speaks up,” Hitchcock said Monday morning from Madison Square Garden, where his team will play the New York Rangers later in the evening. “If he doesn’t like what is happening, he’ll more than speak up. He has made for a very good captain. He is really emerging as a strong leader in the NHL community.”

Hitchcock nodded his head in agreement when asked if Nash seems way more comfortable this year than last. Nash didn’t stumble on his words when describing the difference, which he believes is massive.

“At first it was just tough to walk down to the room and say something, but as the time goes on you start feeling more comfortable and you get a better relationship with each other,” Nash told NHL.com. “If I need anything relayed from the players I can go down there no problem. He’s a pretty easy guy to talk to and he’s pretty open with me, too. He lets me know what’s going on in the coach’s room and what he’s thinking for game plans and upcoming events, things like that.”